Our friends at Dutch publication Nieuwsmotor just returned from a visit to KTM’s Austrian headquarters, where they discovered that new versions of the Adventure, Super Duke and Duke are in the works. At the heart of the new models is a new modular engine which they suggest will be available in 1,200, 1,000 and 700-800cc capacities. A 700cc version of the single-cylinder Duke is also planned for 2012.

Why the long wait for a new Adventure, which has been around since the halcyon days of 2006? KTM apparently had a new version ready for next year, but Stefan Pierer felt it too closely resembled the BMW R1200GS, so sent the designers back to the drawing board.

Nieuwsmotor goes on to report that the new modular v-twin is being developed in conjunction with Porsche and should bring with it a sophisticated traction control system, pointing towards reasonably high performance. They also point to the succesful down-sizing of models like the KTM 350 EX-C, which sacrifices capacity for a lighter weight to improve handling. The implication is that a new, 7-800cc Adventure could take a similar approach, becoming the most dirt-oriented adventure tourer on the market in the process.

Another interesting tidbit is that the KTM RC8 superbike is currently unprofitable due to the western motorcycle market’s general collapse over the last two years. While KTM is forging ahead with smaller capacities and cheaper models made possible by its partnership with Bajaj (models like the KTM 250 Duke), the company will continue to develop large-displacement models in the hope that the market will recover.

KTM is also re-stating, post 2011 Dakar victory, that the KTM 450 Rally is going into limited production for rally privateers. Don’t get too excited, the price will remain in excess of €25,000.